-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- NASA said Wednesday that it is collaborating with recording artist Mary J. Blige to encourage girls and young women to pursue careers by studying science , technology , engineering and mathematics -- collectively known as STEM .

A public service announcement featuring shuttle astronaut Leland Melvin and Blige will begin running this week on NASA TV and on the agency 's website .

The campaign is part of NASA 's Summer of Innovation program , which also is working with Blige 's Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now , the space agency said .

The NASA program , part of the president 's Educate to Innovate Campaign , started this summer with the aim of engaging middle school students in science-related activities during the summer break .

Working with Blige 's foundation provides `` a rare opportunity '' for it to reach `` communities not always readily accessible to us , '' Melvin said in a news release .

`` Mary 's presence can help NASA make the STEM message more appealing to these communities and increase the pipeline of underrepresented students going into these disciplines , '' he said .

High school participants in Blige 's foundation are working with the NASA Science , Engineering , Mathematics and Aerospace Academy project at York College of the City University of New York , the space agency said .

In addition to being prepared to deliver NASA content to middle school students this summer , they will have the opportunity to support the NASA academy 's fall academic session as student aides for grades one through nine , it said .

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NASA collaborating with recording artist Mary J. Blige

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A public service announcement begins running this week on NASA TV

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The collaboration encourages women to reach for the stars